China’s nonwar military activities, including peacekeeping operations, legal maneuvering, hybrid tactics and more, reflect a strategic approach to expanding its influence while avoiding direct conflict. This paper examines how China leverages international law and military resources to push geopolitical boundaries and the reach of the influence of the Chinese Communist Party. Through peacekeeping missions, China enhances its global legitimacy and reshapes the global order, while legal gamesmanship such as reinterpretation of maritime law reinforces territorial claims and ensures the Party’s core interests are met. Additionally, hybrid tactics, including nonwar military activities, are a tool for Beijing to reshape regional security dynamics. By analyzing these strategies, this paper highlights how China navigates the fine line between cooperation and coercion in pursuit of its strategic objectives.